Low-grade fireclay refractories contain large amounts of glassy phase. The properties, e.g. mechanical strength, thermal-shock resistance, refractoriness-under-load, refractoriness and also porosity and bulk density of these refractories before and after ceramization of their glassy phase were investigated. The glassy phase was ceramized by incorporating Cr 2 0 3, V20 5 and TiO 2 into the refractories as nucleating agents and subsequent heat-treatment. Significant improvement in mechanical strength and thermal-shock resistance of the ceramized refractories was observed.